A/N: Thank you for your interest and reviews. Just to let you know...I plan to have fun with this one. ;)
Warning: You must be at least 18yrs of age to read this update as it contains sexual content and language.
Chapter 2
-Dining Hall, Eternos Palace -
The Royal Family less two quietly sat at dinner, clinking dishes the only sound, Palace attendants at attention glancing warily at one another. The King turned to his daughter.
"Adora, tell us about your tour."
Caught off guard, she quickly slurped a noodle. "Excuse me."
Marlena chuckled.
Composing herself she patted her lips with a linen napkin. "Interesting," she replied. "If we didn't subsidize, the Northern Territories have enough agricultural commodity to be pretty self-sufficient and eventually become their own nation."
Randor looked at her. "Did the nobles say anything to suggest this as an official endeavor?"
Realizing where this was going, Adora stopped, her eyes meeting his. "No. Just my observation."
Pensive, he returned to his plate. "Some of the Mystic Mountain tribes have been alluding to this for years now," he said absently, "Total independence from The Crown." He took a mindful bite, the table silent. "I have half a mind to grant them their freedom but that could set off a chain reaction. How many more provinces would want to follow?"
"The Kingdom could become a patchwork of independent provinces, democratic in nature," Marlena finished, taking a bite of dinner.
He glanced at her. "Yes, and how would that look? Chaotic to say the least. There would be wars between the border governments every five months."
"Maybe. Maybe not." She thought for a moment. "If you granted provisional independence under the umbrella of The Crown it could be susceptible to dissolving into petty squabbles over regional rights, nothing more...perhaps ending up looking a little like my home country."
"What's the name of your home kingdom again, Your Majesty?" Orko asked.
She looked at him. "The United States."
"United under what, though," Randor interjected. "You have no monarchy, correct?"
"Correct. We're under Federal law."
"What's that, Mom?"
"Put simply, we're united under a set of laws called The Constitution. We're a Federal Republic, federal meaning a system of government consisting of three branches to create, enact, and adjudicate law; two of those branches made up of elected officials by citizens of each state to represent their interests. The States have their own jurisdiction, but sometimes unique situations become a federal matter."
"How do you know those elected will act honorably?" Duncan asked.
"We uhh…we don't. Sometimes lawmakers don't act in the best interests of the people who've sent them to The District as representation," she replied soberly. "We're unfortunately not unique in that regard on Earth."
"You told me your country suffered a devastating civil war," the King stated.
Marlena nodded. "Hundreds of years before I was born, war on a national scale."
The table went pensive, Cringer finishing up his meal, licking his lips and lying down by the fire, his head on his paws.
"We've had our troubles and we've by no means perfected the ideal society; far from it. All I can say is thankfully there hadn't been any major civil disputes at the time I left for my mission. There are times when I wonder what's happening right now, though."
"Do you miss home, Mom?" Adora wanted to know, having expatriation in common with the Queen.
Marlena's gaze went distant. "I do. I miss the Italian Alps and the Highlands of Scotland, countries my parents are from. I miss my hometown of New York and miss my mother and father terribly. They'd be in their sixties by now," she focused on her daughter's gaze. "Having said that, I'd never consider going back. I could never leave my babies," she said reaching out as Adora took her hand.
"What about the King? You wouldn't leave him either, would ya?"
Everyone's gaze shot to the Trollan.
"Orko," Duncan warned.
The Queen quirked an annoyed brow at her husband. "No. But there are days…," she trailed off.
Randor's eyes narrowed.
"What did Grandfather Glenn look like?" Adora asked, changing the subject.
"It's too bad the photo I carried of my parents was destroyed in the crash," she said, "But he had blond hair and blue eyes, like you and your brother."
Adora seemed fascinated, leaning in as her mother continued.
"I strongly resemble my father although my coloring is closer to my mother's. Her eyes are hazel, and her hair was deep ginger."
"Was?"
"Well, they were going gray when I left over twenty years ago, Love."
"Oh," Adora replied. "Where and how did grandmother and grandfather meet?"
"In New York City. Their families had emigrated to The States years prior. They met at my grandfather's restaurant in Brooklyn. Dad stopped by for some fresh tagliatelle one day and my mother waited on him. He said it was love at first sight," she recounted, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Initially, Mom wouldn't give him the time of day; Papa forbade any non-Italian suitors. He figured Stephen was up to no good because why would a Scot be interested in Italian food?" she shook her head with a chuckle. "Very narrow way of thinking, I suppose.
"My Dad however would not be deterred; he returned for lunch every day with Papa doing his best to keep him away from Anastasia by randomly adjusting her shift," she snorted, "But somehow Dad found out and kept showing up when she was on duty. I guess he eventually grew on her: my Mom sort of uhh…ran away with him. They eloped."
Adora lifted an eyebrow. "Really?"
Marlena nodded.
"So…if neither of your parents were involved in aviation or space travel, how did you become an astronaut?"
"Because of the elopement, Papa had cut my mother off financially, so we didn't have a lot of money growing up," the Queen explained. "Although his extended family in Scotland was wealthy, honor wouldn't allow him to ask for financial assistance so he took jobs anywhere he could find. When I came of age, as a way to get my education paid for, I joined the USAF—"
"What's that?" Orko asked, intrigued.
"The U.S. Air Force, the equivalent of the REAC here except non-royal," she explained. "I took an aptitude test and after rigorous testing and physical training, they assigned me to pilot training. Eventually I was deployed as an F-15 fighter and Osprey rescue pilot."
"How fast did you fly?"
"In the F-15, oh up to about Mach 2.5," she replied. "Space was of course much faster; NASA engineered up to one million mph during my lifetime. I was the first to test it hence my getting thrown off course," she pursed her lips.
"Did your parents ever reconcile with your grandfather, Mom?" Adora asked.
She nodded. "Eventually. But I was a teenager before Papa came around. The relationship between Dad and Papa started out rocky but thankfully smoothed out after a few years."
"Tell me more about Earth—"
"Daughter, dinner is over," Randor chuckled, the attendants clearing their dishes. "You and your mother can resume this conversation in our chambers. I have a security meeting I must attend."
Chatter as everyone stood and began to disperse.
"Hey where's Adam and Teela?"
Duncan glanced at Orko. "Hopefully, engaged in deep conversation," he said optimistically.
The two slick with sweat and rolling on the floor, engaged in another round of sex Teela lay on her back, dangling her legs over Adam's shoulders as he tongued her mercilessly encircling her until she couldn't resist bursting into tears in orgasm, her legs going numb at the heady sensation. He stopped and looked at her.
"You okay?"
Embarrassed, she clapped her hands to her face and nodded. "Yes…yes I'm okay," she managed through sniffles.
He eyed her. Gently, he removed her legs from around his neck lowering them around his hips. Wrapping his hands around her he effortlessly lifted her from the floor placing her on his haunches.
"Hey…"
Initially refusing to remove her hands, she began swiping at her tears, he kissing the backs of her hands. Regaining her composure, she managed, "I'm okay."
His gaze studying her exquisite features now flushed with passion, he gently brushed her hair away from her face.
"No, you're not," he said softly, his tone slightly teasing.
She coughed a teary laugh, her eyes finally meeting his. He knit his brow.
"Tell me why sex brings you to tears."
"It doesn't! That's the thing."
Confused, he stared at her.
"Not before you, anyway," she explained with another teary swipe and sniffle.
Processing it, he blinked for a moment. "I make you cry?"
"Yes."
Adam's features settled into a puzzled frown. "Is that a good thing, or a bad thing?"
Teela's bleary gaze settled on his confused one before realizing his consternation. "Oh! Oh, oh no it's not what you think, babe."
He stared up at her, his eyebrows flying up.
"I'm not sad or hurt," she explained, caressing his face, "It's…," she bit her lip.
He squinted at her. "Yes?" he drew out expectantly.
Looking for the right way to phrase it, she pursed her lips. Staring at her, he slowly shook his head raising his eyebrows in expectation. Forget it, I'll just say it.
"The sex is so disarming and so damn good you're bringing me to tears."
Blinking he flinched surprised. "Oh."
Studying him, she couldn't help but snort at the look on his face. Grinning she lowered her lips to his, nibbling his sensuous bottom lip before kissing him soundly, he moving his hands up her back as the kiss waxed hotter, her hand dragging down his hard abs, going lower before grasping the scepter.
He made an Oof sound when a wicked thought entered her mind.
She shoved him onto his back, he carrying her as she palmed the floor devouring his lips, he returning the favor, his legs now extended and slightly bent behind her. Breaking the kiss, she suddenly swung a leg over him swiveling in the opposite direction and sunk down onto him, grabbing his knees riding him roughly. Surprised, he flinched, grabbing her ass–
"SHIT! Oh FUCK—"
She rode him long and hard, accelerating until they pounded the floor, hips undulating, moaning and grunting in need as they lost all sense of reality, Teela whimpering before crying out in tortured breathy release, Adam uttering complete incoherence as they came together in an explosive multi-layered orgasm, the waves hitting hard, his body shivering releasing within her, Teela's convulsing uncontrollably.
Spent, she slumped backward collapsing atop him, her back against his chest, her fiery tresses splayed over his right shoulder spilling onto the floor, both struggling to catch their breath.
His breathing labored Adam stared at the ceiling, arms spread wide as his eyelids lazily closed in complete exhaustion, a guttural groan escaping his throat as Teela giggled, gasping for air. Silence as they settled, drowsily sprawled together on the floor.
"Adam?"
"Mmhmm?"
"Are you asleep?"
"Mmmyeah. I lost consciousness for a second."
Teela burst into chuckles as she shifted onto her stomach tracing his jawline with her finger. His eyes were closed.
"Are you alright?"
"Yes." Eyes still closed.
Laughing, she tilted her head. "I'm usually the one that's exhausted afterwards."
"I haven't eaten in two days," he said lethargically.
Gasping, her mouth fell open. "Ancients, I forgot!" She jumped to her feet, darted into his closet and slipped on one of his t-shirts, the garment so big it nearly reached her knees.
Eyes still closed, oblivious Adam smiled and rolled onto his side while Teela frantically hopped about his chambers. She hurried into the foyer and reached the wall-com.
Punching in a code, she notified the Palace kitchens typing in a request consisting of lean protein, fresh fruits, whole grain bread, fresh berry juice, and sparkling water with lemon, a blinking light signaling the kitchen's acknowledgement.
Rushing back into his chambers she found him right where she'd left him, on the floor and sound asleep. She couldn't help but chuckle at the cuteness as she knelt and gently roused him.
"Baby...," she said softly.
"Hmm?"
"Babe, wake up. They'll be here in thirty minutes."
"Mmwho?"
"Food. Food will be here," she replied reaching for him, "Time to get up, Sleepycakes."
Groaning in protest, he reluctantly palmed the floor and got to his feet, Teela helping, her hands wrapped around his bicep as he stood and glanced about.
"I'm very impressed."
"About?" he mumbled.
"Your stamina. You went four rounds of hearty rambunctious sex without nourishment for two whole days."
He suddenly frowned. "Where are we going?"
She snorted. "To the showers hon. Now move that perfect ass," she said with a hard slap to his derrière.
Flinching, Adam stirred fully awake, his eyes blinking open as Teela grasped his arms from behind and walked him into his bathing chambers. She turned on the water and pulled off the t-shirt as Adam pulled open the doors and stepped in, holding it open for her as she followed.
Playful they bathed each other, hot lather flying about before rinsing and toweling off, Adam snapping a towel against her bottom.
Yelping, she hopped and snapped her head to him, amused and wide-eyed grabbing her derrière.
"That was for earlier," he grinned.
xx
In pajamas, they finished dinner and got ready for bed. Standing in his bathing chambers, she remembered something.
"I need a toothbrush," she said, pointing at the secret passageway and turning when Adam grasped her hand.
"Here," he said, bending over, sliding the drawer open and pulling out a newly unopened one. Impressed, Teela nodded.
"Slick. Betchya didn't think about clothes, did you?"
With a wink he disappeared into his bedchambers returning a minute later cradling jeans, t-shirts, and sweaters folded neatly in his arms, her mouth dropping open. She stepped over to him.
"Give me that!" she reached out snatching a pair of jeans, Adam grinning as she checked the waistband. Marveling, she looked at him. "It's my size."
He nodded. She looked a question at him.
"I asked my mother's ladies maids to make a few pieces in the ruse that I was taking you on some bullshit surprise hiking trip."
Coughing a laugh she stepped to him, he dropping the garments on the bed as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"I love you. I just wanted to tell you that in case you didn't know."
Looking down at her, he gave a crooked smile.
"Yeah, I know."